GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Macau Black Bears (1-2) vs. Busan KCC Egis (0-0)

November 6, 2024 — Studio City Event Center, Macau SAR 

‍

Storylines:

‍

1. Deonte Burton’s Long-Anticipated Debut 

‍

‍

Deonte Burton began his professional career in South Korea, playing for Korean Basketball League powerhouse Wonju DB Promy during the 2017-18 season. From there, the 6-foot-4 forward found success playing in the NBA for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings. 

‍

This past offseason, Burton returned to the KBL, signing with the reigning league champions, the Busan KCC Egis. In the team’s 2024-25 season-opener, he scored a game-high 40 points in a 77-72 win over rivals, the Suwon KT Sonicboom. 

‍

On Wednesday, Burton makes his East Asia Super League debut. His resume to date, however, already ensures he’s already a marquee player. An excellent downhill slasher with a continuously evolving perimeter game, Burton will be essential for KCC in its first-ever EASL game against the Macau Black Bears. 

‍

2. Macau’s Defensive Struggles 

Three games into Macau’s 2024-25 EASL campaign, its 96.7 points per game allowed is the highest of any team. The Black Bears hold a 1-2 record and currently sit in third place in Group B. 

‍

Macau is one of few — if not the only team — to run a 2-3 zone defensively. Given the size of starting 7-foot-6 center Samuel Deguara, Black Bears’ head coach Garrett Kelly has chosen this scheme to take his big man out of isolation situations and to better use Deguara’s intimidating inside presence. 

‍

However, Macau’s emphasis on crowding the paint and allowing outside looks means it often has to outscore opponents to win. Even in the Black Bears’ lone victory this season, they gave up 97 points to reigning P. LEAGUE+ champions, the New Taipei Kings. 

‍

If the home team wants to improve to .500 again, it needs to tighten up defensively. Although the Black Bears have a handful of weapons that can score, odds are they’ll struggle to beat a talented offensive side like KCC in a shootout. 

‍

3. Injury-Stricken Busan

‍

‍

Busan KCC entered the 2024-25 KBL season with one of the league’s best rosters. However, injuries to key players have significantly lessened options in the Egis’ rotation. 

‍

Star wings Choi Jun Yong and Song Kyo Chang are sidelined for KCC’s EASL debut. Choi is currently nursing an ankle injury while Song — the 2021 KBL MVP — is yet to play this year after undergoing surgery on his left hand. On Sunday, fourth-year guard Kim Dong Hyun suffered a non-contact, right ankle sprain and is unlikely to feature against Macau. 

‍

Additionally, highly touted import Tyler Davis, has since left the team after dealing with weight issues since preseason training camp. Davis’ replacement is veteran KBL journeyman, Leon Williams. 

‍

Yes, it’s true that KCC still holds one of EASL’s premier scorers in Burton, and backups for Choi and Song have also been accounted for. But facing a Macau Black Bears team, that is at full capacity and gelling stronger with each passing game day, the Egis will have to be at their best amid a hostile away environment on Wednesday. 

‍

Macau Black Bears’ (Macau SAR) Players to Watch 

‍

#23 Samuel Deguara — Center, 7-foot-6 

‍

‍

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 12.3 points, 0.3 assists, 10 rebounds 
• Joined the Macau Black Bears in 2024 
• 2018 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries MVP 
• 2018 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries Gold Medalist 
• 2018 TBSL Champion with Mono Vampire 
• 2017 TBL Best Center Award with PEA Basketball (Thailand)
• 2017 Malaysia Pro League Champion with Perak Farmcochem 
• 2017 Malta Basketball League Champion with Bupa Luxol 
• 2009 FIBA Europe U-18 Championship Division C MVP 
• 2009 FIBA Europe U-18 Championship Division C Champion with Malta 
• Deguara is from Pietá, Malta 

‍

#2 Damian Chong Qui — Guard, 5-foot-8 

‍

‍

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 22.7 points, 6.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds
• Joined the Macau Black Bears in 2024
• 2020-21 All-NEC First Team 
• 2020-21 All-NEC Tournament Team
• 2020-21 NEC Assists Leader (5.3 apg) 
• 2020-21 NABC All-District First Team
• 2019-20 NEC Most Improved Player 
• 2019-20 All-NEC Third Team 
• Chong Qui attended college at Mount Saint Mary’s (2018-2021) and Purdue University Fort Wayne (2021-2023)
• Chong Qui is from Baltimore, Maryland, USA

‍

#31 William Artino — Forward, 6-foot-9 

‍

‍

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 18.7 points, 3.3 assists, 15.0 rebounds
• Joined the Macau Black Bears in 2024 
• 2022 T1 League Rebounds Leader with the Tainan TSG GhostHawks
• Artino played with fellow EASL side Hong Kong Eastern for the 2018-19 season
• Artino went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft 
• Artino attended college at Creighton University (2010-2014)
• Artino is from Des Moines, Iowa, USA 

‍

Busan KCC’s Players to Watch 

‍

#3 Heo Ung — Guard, 6-foot-1 

‍

‍

• 2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 13.0 points, 2.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds
• 2024 KBL Champion 
• 2024 KBL Playoffs MVP
• Current South Korea National Team Player  
• 2022 KBL Best 5 
• Joined KCC in 2022 
• 2018 Asian Games Bronze Medalist 
• 2017 FIBA Asia Cup Bronze Medalist 
• 2016 KBL Most Improved Player with Wonju DB Promy 
• 5th Overall Pick in the 2014 KBL Draft 
• Heo attended Yonsei University 
• Heo is from Seoul, South Korea 

‍

#33 Lee Seoung Hyun — Forward, 6-foot-6 

‍

‍

• 2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 13.7 points, 3.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds
• 2024 KBL Champion 
• Current South Korea National Team Player 
• Joined KCC in 2022 
• Current South Korea National Team Player 
• 2017 FIBA Asia Cup Bronze Medalist 
• 1st Overall Pick in the 2014 KBL Draft 
• Lee attended Korea University 
• Lee is from Gumi, South Korea 

‍

#19 Lee Geun-Hwi — Guard, 6-foot-2

• 2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 7.0 points, 0.3 assists, 1.0 rebounds
• 2024 KBL Champion
• 2024 KBL All-Star 3-point Contest Champion 
• Joined KCC in 2021 
• Lee is a naturalized South Korean player 
• 8th Overall Pick in the 2020 KBL Draft 
• Lee attended Hanyang University 
• Lee is originally from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

‍

Macau By The Numbers: 

‍

Team History

• Founded in 2017 

‍

2024-25 EASL Upcoming Games

• Home vs. Busan KCC Egis (KBL) – Nov. 6, 2024
• Home vs. New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) – Dec. 11, 2024
• Away vs. Busan KCC Egis (KBL) – Jan. 15, 2025

‍

2024-25 EASL Statistic Leaders 

• Points: Jeantal Cylla — 23.7 ppg
• Rebounds: William Artino — 15.0 rpg
• Assists: Damian Chong Qui — 6.7 apg
• Steals: William Artino —  2.3 spg
• Blocks: William Artino — 1.7 bpg

‍

Busan KCC By The Numbers: 

‍

Team History

• Founded in 1978 
• 6-time KBL Champions 
• 5-time KBL Regular Season Champions 
• 2023 KBL Cup Winners 

‍

2024-25 KBL Statistic Leaders

• Points: Deonte Burton — 17.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Deonte Burton — 8.7 rpg 
• Assists: Deonte Burton — 3.5 apg 
• Steals: Deonte Burton — 2.2 spg 
• Blocks: Deonte Burton — 1.7 bpg 

‍

2024-25 EASL Upcoming Games

• Away vs. Macau Black Bears (Macau SAR) — Oct. 30, 2024
• Away vs. Meralco Bolts (PBA) — Nov. 13, 2024
• Away vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE) — Dec. 4, 2024
• Home vs. Meralco Bolts (PBA) — Dec. 18, 2024
• Home vs. Macau Black Bears (Macau SAR) — Jan. 15, 2025
• Home vs. New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) — Jan. 21, 2025

‍